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Join Lee Scheinbart, a medical oncologist, as he shares his transformative experience during the height of the COVID pandemic. Discover the power of intrinsic motivation, advocacy, and empathy in health care. In this episode, we delve into the lessons learned from a …
Transformative lessons from a pandemic experience [PODCAST]
I recall a particularly tense interaction on my surgery rotation in medical school. The sub-intern on our team, a dedicated classmate of mine, was instructed to carry the call pager one Friday afternoon, to the undue chagrin of the team’s nurse practitioner. With an irritable toss of her blonde hair, eyes rolling with exasperation, the NP snappily handed off the pager to our sub-intern. “Ugh, this is going to slow …
Balancing tension and kindness in medical education
Let me share a story about Dr. Sarah Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell, like many of us, started her career with a resident’s salary, which was around $40,000 per year. After completing her residency, she received an enticing offer as an oncologist with an annual salary of $350,000.
However, instead of succumbing to lifestyle inflation, Dr. Mitchell made a financially savvy decision.
She committed to living on an annual budget of $60,000 for the first …
For newer doctors, avoid lifestyle inflation
An excerpt from Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs: The Making of a Surgeon.
They drive us. All day long they drive us. They drive us until the heat sears our lungs, and each breath rasps the back of our throats. They drive us until we pant like dogs and our tongues hang …
Pushed to the limit: Battling heat in hard labor
Navigating the complexities of medical ethics in our modern world can present significant challenges. It’s worth considering a deeper examination of this issue. In the year 2023, the global landscape is rapidly evolving across various spheres. As a former pediatric resident physician in New York City, I had the opportunity to witness an extraordinary range of social diversity. The city is truly a melting pot, embodying a diverse tapestry of …
Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse
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We’re joined by Paul Pender, an ophthalmologist and author of Standing Up & Speaking Out for Patients & Doctors. Together, we explore the study’s revelations about physician age, patient outcomes, and the critical role of experience and skill in health care.
Revelations about physician age [PODCAST]
The major implications of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, have centered on state-based rulings to remove a person’s right to abortion, thus preventing clinicians from supplying lifesaving health care and undermining an individual’s autonomy over their body. Further, as states eliminate this essential option in providing reproductive care, another important damaging impact of the Dobbs decision is beginning to be recognized. Namely, where …
Viktor Frankl’s Holocaust memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning, is an extraordinary essay on resilience and spirituality, a reminder that human life, under any circumstances, never ceases to have meaning. At the risk of mentioning Bob Dylan in the same sentence as Viktor Frankl, it was Dylan who said: “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” I suppose Bob Dylan read the book too, ranked …
Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine
Often in coaching sessions, a client will bring to the session a problem or obstacle in their path forward. In life, challenging situations can make us feel stuck and unable to move. We find ourselves remaining in relationships, jobs, or patterns that no longer fulfill us.
Years ago, I came upon a powerful mantra: “change, accept, or leave.” This wisdom shifted my focus from my problems to the possible solutions for …
Change, accept or leave: wisdom for physicians who feel stuck
In the world of medicine, the challenges faced by BIPOC physicians are multifaceted. Not only do they contend with the rigor and demands of the profession, but they also navigate unique societal pressures and systemic inequalities. Prioritizing mental health, fostering a strong sense of purpose, and nurturing empowerment become essential tools for maintaining well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the distinct challenges encountered by BIPOC physicians and provide …
Physician mental health: a guide for BIPOC physicians
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Join L. Joseph Parker, a research physician, as we dive into the intricate world of medical practice and legal challenges faced by health care professionals treating patients with pain and addiction. Joseph sheds light on the complexities of opioid prescriptions, the impact …
Balancing pain management and legal realities [PODCAST]
Has there ever been a time you judged yourself? Or that one time you resented yourself and repeatedly went over that event, thinking, “Gee, I wish I could’ve changed that one thing.” Has there ever been a time where you’ve said, “I’ll never be able to forgive myself”? Then, you begin to complain incessantly and blame others. “I see too many patients. There’s too much paperwork. Can you believe that …
Unlocking emotional freedom and empathic communication
For most doctors, hiring a financial advisor who understands their needs is important when making investment decisions. We are all busy, and most don’t have the knowledge to make good investment decisions.
However, some have the time, and get educated about investing, and prefer to be more involved in making their investments.
A self-directed brokerage account may be one good option for you if you wish to get more involved in your …
Want more investment control? A self-directed brokerage account may be right for you.
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Engaging in medical/legal consulting offers a valuable opportunity to apply your medical training in a non-clinical capacity that genuinely benefits people. Physicians across the nation are increasingly embracing medical/legal consulting as a rewarding part-time endeavor.
Among the array of services that medical/legal consultants offer, one prominent role is that of a liaison between attorneys and treating doctors. Additionally, we occasionally serve as intermediaries between attorneys and families, and more frequently between …
Bridging attorneys and doctors: the role of medical/legal consultants
She walked in with a cane, bent over like a question mark. She was in her seventies and as sweet as people in that age group tend to be. I think most of the cranky ones don’t make it that far. She was something of an emergency because her doctor had just passed away, and it was time to refill her medications. It would not be safe for her to …
Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain
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Join Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon, as she shares her journey through the world of medicine. Carmen’s experiences highlight the challenges women face in academic medicine, from gender disparities to work-life balance. We delve into her decision to transition to private practice, …
From academic medicine to private practice [PODCAST]
When it comes to addiction treatment, doctors have a superpower. Even if you’re not board certified in addiction (most of us are not), you possess knowledge and skills uniquely suited to caring for patients with addiction. Many professions purport to treat patients with substance use disorder, but the physician’s toolkit makes us uniquely effective at treating people with addiction. I can teach you how to unlock this hidden power if …
Physicians have a hidden addiction treatment superpower
In a world increasingly dominated by technology and artificial intelligence (AI), adaptability is no longer just a desirable trait—it’s a necessity. Leon C. Megginson’s insightful quote, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change,” serves as a timely reminder of this reality. This article explores why adaptability is crucial, especially in the …
The need for adaptability is imperative in the era of artificial intelligence
I am rattled as I read the headlines. Another bright, incredible physician has ended her life. I feel numb with horror as I read the details. I want to scream, cry, and punch the wall. Wiping my tears away, I try to focus on the needs of my whining toddler as she tugs at my dress.
I am in mourning for every doctor’s death by suicide. Yes, for every one of …
Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change
An excerpt from The Menopause Menu.
Whether it’s heart disease or cognitive decline, arthritis or diabetes, getting older is linked to an increased incidence of many different chronic diseases. The menopausal journey adds an extra layer of health risks to some of them but is also an opportunity to fine-tune healthy …
Navigating chronic diseases and menopause: healthier habits for aging
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